Ralph Johnson (1898-1918) of Martham
Ralph is listed on the War Memorial as one of those who gave his life during the First World War.
Brothers Leonard and Ralph Johnson were both killed in action within five months of each other during the First World War in 1918. They are both commemorated on the Martham War Memorial. In many ways the rest of their short lives also ran in parallel.
They were the only sons of Elijah & Emma Johnson, nee Reeve. They were both born at West Somerton: Leonard on 5th May 1895 and Ralph on 3rd Oct 1898.
In 1901 they lived with their parents at The Lion Inn at West Somerton where their father was the publican. Both their parents were born in Martham.
Both boys attended Martham village school, Leonard from 21st October 1901 and Ralph started on 2nd June 1902. They both left school when they became 14.
By 1911 the family had moved to Martham living to the east to the Green where, their father, Elijah was a self-employed bootmaker.
They both enlisted at Norwich; Leonard with the 7th Battalion Norfolk Regiment as Private 19725 and Ralph with the 7th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment as Private 41590.
Ralph was killed in action on 11th February 1918 in France & Flanders and was buried at Noyon New British Cemetery, Oise, France ref. IV. E. 7. He was 19.
